Someday Beach by Jill Sanders Page B

your price range?”
    He nodded. “Yeah, I had a friend print these up for me. They’re all at least four bedrooms, three bath, with a garage and in my price range. That place would have maxed out my budget and now I know why.” He shook his head. “Some people should never do home projects themselves.”
    She laughed. “I’m so happy you said that. Did you see what color they painted the walls?” She gasped and leaned back. “I’m going to be seeing that color of green all day now.”
    He chuckled and nodded. “Where’s the next one?”
    She rattled off an address on Sugar Sand Lane and he turned the truck in that direction. This was one of the places he really liked. It was on a side road that was a dead end, so the chances of having a lot of traffic were slim. There wasn’t any direct beach access, but the place was on a small hill so it overlooked the water just the same.
    When they parked in front, she leaned forward and sighed.
    “It’s gorgeous.”
    He nodded. “My thoughts as well. Hopefully the inside isn’t too bad. If I remember correctly, the price was a little low.” He frowned and looked at the listing. “Yeah, real low for this area.”
    “Well, let’s go find out why.” She smiled and jumped down from his truck..
    When they walked into the place, Marcus knew he’d found what he’d been looking for. The place needed a lot of work. Its structure was good, but everything from the flooring to the gaudy ceiling fans needed to be replaced.
    “Hmmm,” she said as they walked into the master bathroom. “Maybe you could yank everything out and put in a nice Jacuzzi tub, shower combo over there.”
    He smiled. “My thoughts exactly.”
    As they went room to room, she voiced her opinions and he found it very exciting that they matched with his own thoughts.
    When they walked out onto the back deck, they both sighed. “This makes the place worth all the work.” She leaned on the post and sighed again. “I mean, can you imagine sitting out here every evening and having a cold beer, watching the sun set?”
    He must have been quiet too long because she glanced over at him and frowned. “What?” she asked, turning towards him.
    He shook his head. “It’s like you’re reading my mind.” He smiled.
    “Well, now we know why the price is low. There’s a lot to do, but I think it could be great.”
    He nodded again.
    “The question is, is it too much for you?”
    He stepped closer to her. “You keep asking me that. Nothing is too much for me.” He dipped his head and kissed her lightly. “Thanks for coming with me.”
    She pulled back a little. “Don’t you want to look at the other houses?”
    He shook his head no. “I know when I’ve spotted something I want.” He smiled at her. “Even if it means waiting and working a little harder for it.”
    He watched realization cross her eyes, then her cheeks flooded with heat. When she smiled a little, he knew he’d been right about her. She was going to be worth the wait.
    *******
    Shelly sat in the truck in silence. She couldn’t get over how sure he was. Not only about the property, but about her.
    She really did enjoy spending time with him. But she didn’t like rushing into relationships. Especially since she’d known him for such a short time. But he’d made it very clear that he was willing to wait, to work on the relationship.
    She shook her head and looked out the window. Relationship. That was a word she usually cringed at. Relationships hadn’t necessarily worked out for her in the past.
    She really did like looking at the homes with him. It was hard not to dream about someday buying her own home. But when it came to having her own family, that’s where she usually stopped dreaming.
    Ever since she was a little girl, she’d always known she didn’t want children. Not that she didn’t like them, but she didn’t want to chance becoming a parent like she’d had growing up. Or for that matter, any that she had known in her